Our new MA in Public Administration and Policy programme seeks to equip you with advanced theoretical, methodological and practical tools to research public administration and policy.
Through the study of carefully selected compulsory and optional modules, you will explore the relationship between theory, practice and contemporary developments in the regional, national and international sphere of public administration and policy.
Studying part time
International students may be able to study this course on a part-time basis but this is dependent on visa regulations. Please visit the Government website for more information about student visas.
If you’re able to study part time, you’ll study a selection of key modules from the full-time master’s degree over a longer period, usually 24 months. You can make studying work for you by arranging your personal schedule around lectures and seminars which take place during the day. After you complete all the taught modules, you will complete your final dissertation or project and will celebrate your achievements at graduation the following term.
Studying part time means you can study alongside work or any other life commitments. You will study the same modules as the full-time master’s degree over a longer period, usually 24 months. You can make studying work for you by arranging your personal schedule around lectures and seminars which take place during the day. After you complete all the taught modules, you will complete your final dissertation or project and will celebrate your achievements at graduation the following term.
The MPA is suitable for graduates from any subject background who have an interest in careers in government and administrative services (both nationally and internationally), NGOs and third sector organisations, advocacy groups and journalism and academia.
By the end of the programme you will be able to analyse and evaluate the contemporary challenges facing public administration and policy and formulate strategies to address them effectively.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Compulsory modules:
POLI551 – Public Administration and Policy research skills and methods
POLI552 – Understanding Public Administration and Policy
POLI553 – Navigating normative issues in Public Administration and Policy
Part-time Year 1 students take 30 credits of required modules in Semester 1.
Please note the structure of this programmes is still in development and full details will be available soon.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Compulsory modules:
POLI554 – Innovations in Public Policy
POLI555 – When Government fails: Public Policy Failures and how to avoid
POLI556 – Crisis leadership in public life
Please note the structure of this programmes is still in development and full details will be available soon.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
POLI531 – Political Science Dissertation
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching is chiefly by two-hour seminars with some lecture and workshop input within the seminars. The seminars are the primary forum where concepts, ideas and information will be communicated to you. You will have the opportunity to discuss the content of seminars during office hours that are offered by all teaching staff.
The emphasis on seminars as a teaching tool reflects the belief among teaching staff that it permits a suitable array of teaching and learning exercises to be fitted into the learning environment for students. The required modules for the programme include teaching exercises for some small group work and guest appearances from practitioner and stakeholder communities in order to convey to students the diverse nature of the applications of public administration and policy.
All modules are designed to be assessed in an appropriate manner. For the required modules there is a mix of essays, presentation and participation marks, examination, group work and forms of authentic assessment such as podcasts and practitioner briefings to policy-makers. Our aim is to create a programme based on global citizenships that fits within the international dimensions of the MPA. This permits students to be exposed to a variety of learning and assessment methods in order to develop their skills as well as retention of knowledge of a complex series of political and intellectual topics.
Alongside the formal assessment, students will also be exposed to a wide range of activities during seminars to ensure they are able to foster their communication skills through peer-to-peer learning and oral presentations, simulation and role play activities. This variety of assessments engages students with techniques appropriate to their research specialisms and better prepares them for employment or further research.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
The Department of Politics is based in the School of Histories, Language and Cultures, although teaching will take place across the campus. Within the department, there is a diverse student population consisting of a wide ethnic mix, home/EU and international students and a number of mature students. We provide a safe place where staff and students can be their authentic selves in the workplace and their everyday lives. We do this by being an inclusive and supportive environment where our diverse community of scholars and students offer support through allyship and support for all.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
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Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
The programme is designed to provide you with transferable employability skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration and team-work, creativity, persuasion, adaptability and research skills. You will develop your analytical skills and empirical knowledge, so that you are prepared for careers in government and administrative services (both nationally and internationally), NGOs and third sector organisations, advocacy groups and journalism and academia.
The programme is designed to provide transferable employability skills such as:
Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.
We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.
You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £11,700
Part-time place, per year - £5,850
Full-time place, per year - £24,100
Part-time place, per year - £12,050
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
You can pay your tuition fees in instalments.
All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship.
International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies..
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for a fee discount of up to £4,500. You’ll need to demonstrate an active interest in global, community and environmental issues to be considered.
If you’re a UK University of Liverpool graduate joining a master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive £3,000 off your tuition fees. You must have graduated in the last two years and received a widening access scholarship during your undergraduate studies.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate entry requirements | Admission to the programme is on an annual basis. We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. There is no specification of degree subject but sports, music or fashion degrees would not normally be considered as sole eligibility for the course. However, applicants with a prior undergraduate degree in either international politics/international relations, a related social science or humanities degree will benefit from taking this degree. Non-graduates will be considered for admission provided they satisfy general University requirements and possess appropriate professional qualifications or experience. Work experience is desirable, but not a requirement for admission. Previous work experience will not qualify a student for advanced standing. |
| International qualifications |
Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements. Completing your Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, means you're guaranteed a place on your chosen course. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 88-89 |
| PTE Academic | Other English language qualifications are accepted including GCSE, Cambridge Proficiency, HKCEE |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 6.0 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 6.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.0, and no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0, for further details.
Discover more about the city and University.
Liverpool bursts with diversity and creativity which makes it ideal for you to undertake your postgraduate studies and access various opportunities for you and your family.
To fully immerse yourself in the university experience living in halls will keep you close to campus where you can always meet new people. Find your home away from home.
Discover what expenses are covered by the cost of your tuition fees and other finance-related information you may need regarding your studies at Liverpool.
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
Last updated 31 January 2025 / / Programme terms and conditions